Sometimes it can be difficult to get the help you need for a youth or young adult that you care about. The right programs and services are not always easy to find, especially in times of crisis. Eligibility criteria can be confusing and often a youth or young adult's needs do not fit neatly into a single box that can be addressed by one agency or system. Acronyms and agency lingo can be an "alphabet soup", and a family may not know where to turn. Without support, and a helping hand from caring people who are familiar with "the system", the road to wellness and recovery for a youth or young adult with serious mental health needs, and their families, can be a long and lonely one.

Orange County System of Care has made a commitment to work together with youth and families to make our system better. We have developed a one-stop, single "pathway to care" for children and youth with serious mental health needs, and their families. Our intake staff
include partners from Orange County Departments of Social Services, Probation and Mental Health, and Family Support (because the best help comes from someone who knows what you are going through). We opened our doors on February 22, 2010, and together we are working hard to make sure that help is easy to access, family-driven, and tailored to the needs of each youth, young adult, and family.

Through Orange County System of Care, youth and families, and providers can call one number, 845-360-6710, and receive:

• One-stop telephone access to multiple county agencies, and Orange County's Family
  Support Program.
• Linkage and referrals to community-based services and supports.
• Cross-system case conferencing, as necessary.
• Services and supports can include care management ,wraparound planning, home based crisis services, and family and youth peer supports.